Sworo Alex Marle, director general for child protection in the Ministry of Gender and Education in Yei River State has called for an end to child abuse in the state.

He said his office has been receiving reports of child abuse including rape, torture, forced labor and inaccessibility to food, medication and education due to the widespread conflict in the area.

Alex further said all crimes committed against children are being committed by heartless parents, businessmen and soldiers in the state.

He called on the government, community leaders, churches, activists, teachers, and child protection organizations to protect the children in the state.

Sworo urged civil society organizations working to protect children to identify hidden cases of child abuse and report them to the relevant authorities. “We need to see our children growing up morally because they are the future of this country,” he said.